Investing in the stock market has been a popular way of growing wealth for decades. In recent years, micro-investing platforms have emerged that allow individuals to invest small amounts of money with minimal effort and low fees. Two such platforms are Acorns and Stash, both offering easy ways to start investing without having to spend large sums of money upfront or learning complex financial concepts. This article will compare these two services in order to determine which is better suited for novice investors.
Acorns was founded in 2014 as an automated investment service that rounds up purchases on linked debit cards and invests the spare change into portfolios of exchange traded funds (ETFs). Users can also make lump sum investments at any time through their app or website. Stash, launched one year later, provides users with more control over their investments by allowing them to choose individual stocks and ETFs from more than 150 options based on their interests. Both platforms offer educational material about investing basics and tips for how much to save each month depending on personal goals.
In this article, we will analyze both Acorns and Stash’s features side by side in order to gain insight into which platform offers the best value for those just getting started with investing. We will look at costs associated with using either service, customer support offered, user interface design, security measures taken to protect customers’ data and assets, as well as other factors affecting the decision making process when selecting between the two companies.
Overview
Acorns and Stash are two popular micro-investing platforms that allow users to invest small amounts of money into a variety of investment options. Both services offer different plans depending on the user’s needs and financial situation, but there are also similarities between them. This article will compare Acorns and Stash in terms of their features, fees, customer service, and overall suitability for novice investors.
The first major difference between Acorns and Stash is their fee structure. Acorns charges a monthly subscription fee based on the size of the account while Stash has no minimum balance requirement but instead offers tiered pricing based on the number of accounts opened with it. Additionally, both platforms provide access to different types of investments such as stocks, ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds), mutual funds, etc., although they differ slightly in which ones they make available. In terms of customer service, Acorns provides more comprehensive support than Stash does; however, both services have mobile apps that make trading easier and more convenient.
Overall, when looking at what each platform has to offer in terms of features and fees, it is important to consider how much experience one has investing before making a decision about which platform is better suited for them. Novice investors may prefer using Acorns due to its simpler setup process compared to Stash or those who want lower costs might benefit from opening multiple accounts with Stash instead. Ultimately, choosing between these two companies comes down to personal preference as both can be advantageous when used correctly.
Investment Options
When considering which micro-investing platform is better, a key factor is the available investment options. Acorns and Stash both offer users access to stocks, bonds, ETFs (exchange traded funds), mutual funds, and other investments. However, there are some differences between the two platforms in terms of the types of assets offered and fees associated with them.
On Acorns, users have access to over 7,000 different kinds of stocks from around the world. They also offer several ETFs that invest in various sectors such as technology or health care. In addition, they provide access to more than 100 mutual funds from leading fund managers like Vanguard or Blackrock. The fees for investing on Acorns range from $1 per month up to $5 per month depending on account type and balance size.
Stash offers a similar selection of stocks and ETFs but its focus is primarily US equities. It also provides an array of mutual funds including index funds and target date retirement plans. Furthermore, it has recently added digital banking services through their partner banks allowing customers to open checking accounts with debit cards linked directly to their portfolio balances. Fees for using Stash start at $1 per month for accounts under $5k but increase gradually after that amount is reached.
Cost Comparison
The cost of using either Acorns or Stash for micro-investing depends on the subscription plan.
Acorns offers three different plans:
- Acorns Lite – no monthly fee, $1 per month for accounts over $5,000;
- Acorns Personal – $3 per month for unlimited investments and access to additional features such as retirement savings tools and checking account options; and
- Acorns Family – a joint account option with two adults that costs $5 per month but has all the same features as Acorns Personal.
Stash also offers three levels of service:
- Beginner – no monthly fee up to $500 in deposits, then 0.25% annually after that;
- Growth – $1 per month for any deposit amount; and
- Stash+ – includes everything from Growth plus an investment advisor at a rate of 0.25%.
In comparison, both platforms offer reasonable fees depending on usage while providing users with similar services. Those looking to invest small amounts may find more value in Acorn’s lower priced plans while those requiring more comprehensive advice might prefer Stash+.
Ease Of Use
Both Acorns and Stash are designed to be user-friendly with intuitive navigation. However, there are some key differences in terms of ease of use between the two platforms. Acorns has a more streamlined interface that is easy to understand and navigate. It also provides users with helpful prompts throughout the process. On the other hand, Stash requires more manual effort as it does not provide automated reminders or prompts for its users.
In addition, Acorns offers an app version which allows investors to manage their portfolios from any mobile device while Stash’s app only offers basic functions such as tracking investments and monitoring news feeds related to stocks or funds. This makes Acorns easier to access than Stash, especially when away from home or office computer desktops. Therefore, when considering ease of use, Acorns appears to have an advantage over Stash.
Support Services
Having established the ease of use for Acorns and Stash, it is important to consider the support services offered by each platform. Table 1 outlines the availability and variety of customer service options available on both platforms.
| Acorns | Stash | |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Live Chat | No | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| FAQ Section | Yes | Yes |
| Social Media Presence | Yes | Yes |
Both Acorn and Stash provide their customers with a wide range of customer service options including phone support, email support, FAQ sections, and social media presence. However, one clear distinction between them is that while Acorns does not offer live chat assistance, Stash provides this option. This may be beneficial as users can receive immediate feedback from customer representatives when facing technical issues or general questions about the investment process.
Furthermore, both platforms have an extensive library of articles which cover topics such as portfolio management strategies, taxes associated with investing in stocks and ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds), as well as any other related information regarding micro-investing. Therefore, customers are able to find answers to their questions quickly without having to contact customer service directly.
Overall, Acorns and Stash both feature comprehensive customer service resources tailored to meet the needs of micro-investors regardless of their experience level within the field. With so many helpful features at their disposal, potential investors can rest assured they will get all the guidance they need throughout their journey into stock market investing and beyond.
Risk Factors
When considering micro-investing platforms, risk factors should be taken into account. Acorns invests in exchange traded funds (ETFs) which contain a basket of stocks and bonds that track an index such as the S&P 500 or Dow Jones Industrial Average. This diversification reduces risk but also lowers returns because ETFs are managed passively, with no active trading to increase profits. Stash allows users to individually select investments from over 1,800 stocks and funds, thus allowing for more control and potentially higher gains if chosen wisely; however, this type of investing is considered to carry higher risks since individual stock selection does not offer any protection against market downturns.
In addition to investment choices, fees must be taken into consideration when evaluating both acorns versus stash. Acorns charges $1 per month plus 0.25% annual fee on assets under management while Stash requires a flat rate of $1-$9 per month depending on subscription plan selected. Both companies provide support services at no additional cost including educational resources and access to financial advisors.
Conclusion
Each platform offers different types of investments including stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, and more. Costs associated with each platform vary depending on the type of plan chosen. In terms of ease of use, both Acorns and Stash have user-friendly interfaces that make investing simple. Additionally, they both provide customer service teams to answer any questions or concerns regarding investments. Lastly, when considering risk factors involved, both platforms require users to understand market volatility before investing in order to evaluate whether they should take part in these programs or not.